Pakistan Asserts Hypersonic Missile Possession, Experts Point to China-Made CM-400AKG
International defense observers state that the claimed hypersonic missile by Pakistan is likely the CM-400AKG guided missile, acquired by the country from China approximately five years ago for integration into the JF-17 "Thunder" fighter aircraft developed jointly by Pakistan and China.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Recently, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has revealed its possession of hypersonic missiles, a weapon system that is part of its comprehensive efforts to modernize its military capabilities to address persistent threats from external sources.
According to the PAF, the hypersonic missile capability aims to establish a “potent” force and rebalance power dynamics in the South Asian region under the leadership of its Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu.
As reported by international defense media, PAF’s modernization initiatives include the acquisition of J-10C fighter jets, advanced electronic warfare platforms, integrated air defense systems, aerial mobility platforms, and more.
While publicly acknowledging the hypersonic missile capability, PAF has refrained from disclosing the specific type of hypersonic guided missile in its possession.
Defense analysts quoted by the media suggest that given China’s status as the largest arms supplier to Pakistan, it is likely that the hypersonic missiles have been supplied by Beijing.
The hypersonic missile claimed by Pakistan is speculated to be the CM-400AKG, acquired approximately five years ago to be integrated into the JF-17 “Thunder” fighter aircraft.
The JF-17 “Thunder” is a jointly developed fighter aircraft by the Pakistan Aeronautic Corporation (PAC) and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC).
By the end of this year or the next, the Pakistan Air Force is reported to possess around 50 JF-17 Block 3 aircraft, supplementing the 98 JF-17 Block 1 and JF-17 Block 2 aircraft it currently holds.
The latest variant, JF-17 Block 3, is considered more advanced and capable, incorporating fifth-generation fighter technology akin to China’s J-20 and has been in development for the past two years.
Pakistan’s defense analysts describe the JF-17 Block 3 as a “game changer” in the country’s aerial competition with its traditional adversary, India.
According to China’s Aviation Industry Corporation, the developer of the CM-400AKG missile, it can achieve a speed of Mach 5, categorizing it as a hypersonic guided missile or a missile with exceptionally high supersonic speed.
Weighing approximately 900kg, the CM-400AKG is touted as an anti-ship missile with a flight pattern resembling a ballistic missile, capable of targeting objects up to 240km away.
The missile utilizes an Inertial Navigation System (INS) as its guidance system.
What captures the interest of observers about the CM-400AKG is its unique flight pattern, resembling a ballistic missile rather than a typical anti-ship missile.
It can be launched from high altitudes, contrasting with anti-ship missiles launched from low altitudes to evade enemy radar detection and subsequently be shot down.
Pakistan is reported to have procured around 60 CM-400AKG missiles from China at a cost of US$100 million (RM450 million) for integration with PAF’s JF-17 fighter aircraft. — DSA
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